ATF Deploys to Cheyenne To Investigate Destructive Apartment Building Fire
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – ATF deployed its National Response Team, Thursday, to investigate the cause of a large fire that has been estimated to have caused more than $15 million in damage.
On May 26, Cheyenne Fire Rescue responded to the blaze along with several mutual aid fire departments. The fire destroyed all 72 apartment units within the 96,000 square-foot building, several vehicles and multiple pieces of heavy equipment. Seven additional townhomes also sustained damage.
Photo courtesy of the ATF Denver Field Division
"Public safety is best served when resources and expertise are shared, which is the collaborative effort underway for the citizens of Cheyenne right now," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Chris Ashbridge. "Our top priority is supporting our local partners in restoring safety, and peace of mind to all who are impacted by this fire.”
After discussion with local authorities, ATF’s Denver Field Division requested support and assistance from the ATF National Response Team to investigate the origin and cause of the fire.
The NRT consists of special agents, special agent certified fire investigators, special agent certified explosives specialists, fire protection engineers, electrical engineers, forensic chemists, intelligence research specialists, digital forensic specialists, a medic and an accelerant or explosives detection K-9 team.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the ATF National Response Team on this fire investigation,” said Cheyenne Fire Rescue Chief Andrew Dykshorn. “Our fire investigators will work side by side with the subject-matter experts in each discipline within the ATF National Response Team. These resources will help our community get clear answers about what happened in this incident."
Since its inception in 1978, the NRT has responded to 947 incidents, including 10 activations this fiscal year alone. The NRT’s rapid-response structure enables it to generally deploy within 24 hours, bringing in state-of-the-art technology, including unmanned aerial systems, 3-D scanning, forensic mapping and portable labs, to aid in fire and explosion origin and cause determinations.
The NRT has a proven track record of handling the nation’s most tragic and complex fire and explosive incidents. Past deployments include:
- The Palisades Fire: A major wildfire in early January 2025 in Los Angeles County, burned over 23,000 acres, devastating the Pacific Palisades.
The Maui Wildfire Disaster: One of the deadliest U.S. fires in over a century, requiring an intricate investigation due to high winds and rapid fire spread.
Conception Dive Boat Fire: A fatal fire near Santa Barbara where the NRT helped uncover key evidence leading to safety reforms in marine operations.
ATF protects American communities from violent crime driven by the illegal use of firearms, explosives, and acts of arson. Through crime gun intelligence, forensic analysis, and relentless investigation, we identify and arrest violent offenders and gang members, dismantle trafficking networks, and sever the supply chains arming cartels, prohibited persons, and terrorist organizations. We defend the rights of law-abiding citizens by safeguarding lawful commerce and upholding the Constitution of the United States. Learn more at ATF.gov.
